Main Street Report
The Experian Main Street Report brings deep insight into the overall financial well-being of the small-business landscape, as well as providing commentary around what specific trends mean for credit grantors and the small-business community. Critical factors in the Main Street Report include a combination of business credit data (credit balances, delinquency rates, utilization rates, etc.) and macroeconomic information (employment rates, income, retail sales, industrial production, etc). The Main Street Report is published quarterly.
Energy Sector Headwinds: AI Demand and Global Oil Market Uncertainty Risk conditions for small businesses are shifting—and not always in obvious ways. Experian’s Q1 2026 Main Street Report highlights a landscape defined by mixed macro signals, tightening credit, and early signs of stress beneath the surface. While overall conditions remain relatively stable, rising costs, weakening sentiment, and constrained access to capital are beginning to reshape the risk profile of small business portfolios. For Chief Risk Officers, the message is clear: volatility is no longer isolated—it’s systemic, and it’s influencing both borrower behavior and lending strategy. The full report breaks down where these risks are emerging—and what they mean for credit performance in the months ahead. Download the report to stay ahead of the shift. Download Q1 2026 Main Street Report
High APR's, Steady Risk: Small Firms Stay Resilient Experian is very pleased to announce the release of the Q3 2025 Main Street Report. Brodie Oldham and Marsha Silverman will be unpacking the insights in the latest report during the Small Business Economic Review - December 9th, 10:00 a.m (Pacific), 1:00 p.m. (Eastern0 Register to Attend Webinar Report summary The holidays are here, and Black Friday sparks a surge in consumer spending, U.S. small businesses are proving remarkably resilient despite persistent economic challenges. The Experian Small Business Index shows tighter credit conditions, with modest delinquency movements, disciplined utilization rates, and an acceleration in new business starts. Download the latest report for more insight. Download Q3 Main Street Report About the Experian Main Street Report The Experian Main Street Report brings deep insight into the overall financial well-being of the small-business landscape, as well as providing commentary around what specific trends mean for credit grantors and the small-business community. Critical factors in the Main Street Report include a combination of business credit data (credit balances, delinquency rates, utilization rates, etc.) and macroeconomic information (employment rates, income, retail sales, industrial production, etc.). Related Posts
The Great Recalibration Experian is very pleased to announce the release of the Q2 2025 Main Street Report. Brodie Oldham from Experian Commercial Data Science unpacks insights from the latest Main Street Report. Watch Quarterly Business Credit Review Webinar Main Street Recalibrates for a New Normal U.S. small businesses are demonstrating exceptional adaptability amid a complex post-pandemic economic environment. Inflation remains elevated above 3%, interest rates are steady between 4.25% and 4.50%, and global trade dynamics continue to introduce volatility. Despite these pressures, small firms are showing resilience, driven by improved digital capabilities, disciplined fiscal management, and a steady flow of entrepreneurial activity. In Q2 2025, an average of 447,000 new business applications were filed, with significant contributions from minority and younger founders. The Experian Small Business Index™ held steady, credit conditions remained tight. Traditional lenders continued to restrict approvals, with just 13% of applications approved by large banks. In response, small businesses increasingly turned to fintech and embedded finance solutions for faster, data-driven access to capital. Borrowing behaviors are shifting. The average small business credit card APRs now exceed 25%, firms are transitioning toward installment loans that offer structured repayment terms. Download the latest report for more insight. Download Q2 Main Street Report Related Posts
Navigating Credit and Policy Crosswinds Experian is very pleased to announce the release of the Q1 2025 Main Street Report. Watch Brodie Oldham present the latest insights on small business from the Q1 Main Street Report. Watch Q1 Quarterly Business Credit Review Webinar Small business performance strong in the face of significant challenges: As economic crosswinds continue into 2025, Experian’s Q1 Main Street Report offers a sharp lens into the evolving risk landscape for U.S. small businesses. With stable credit utilization, modest delinquency trends, and over 449,000 new business applications in April alone, the data points to a cautiously optimistic outlook. For risk leaders, this report provides critical insights into regional and sectoral credit behavior, the growing role of alternative data in underwriting, and emerging areas of exposure and opportunity, equipping you to recalibrate strategies in real time. Download the latest report for more insight. Download Q1 Main Street Report Related Posts
Experian’s Q4 FY25 Report reveals small business credit trends, lending shifts, and economic forces shaping growth amid policy changes and global uncertainties.
As small businesses prepare for growth - tariffs take center stage Experian is very pleased to announce the release of the Q3 2024 Main Street Report. Join us for a deep dive on Q3 performance Experian will share key findings from our Q3 Main Street Report in the Quarterly Business Credit Review: Tuesday, December 10th, 10:00 a.m. Pacific | 1:00 p.m. Eastern Register to attend Gain insight on small business health The Q3 2024 Experian Main Street Report offers a deep dive into the economic trends and policy shifts shaping small business performance and their credit outlook. With credit risk managers at the forefront of navigating evolving financial landscapes, the report highlights critical developments in economic stability, global trade, and credit performance. These insights are essential for refining risk assessment strategies and positioning portfolios for a resilient 2025. Download the latest report for more insight. Download Q3 Main Street Report
Download the Main Street Report for in-depth analysis on recent small business credit performance.
Experian Main Street Report says strength in the economy pushes through inflation. Download for analysis on Q1 small business performance.
This week Experian and Oxford Economics released the Q4 2022 Main Street Report. The report provides insight into the financial well-being of the small business landscape. Critical factors in the Main Street Report include business credit data (credit balances, delinquency rates, utilization rates, etc.) and macroeconomic information (employment rates, income, retail sales, industrial production, etc.). Report Highlights Consumer sentiment improved in Q4 2022, despite a softening of spending behavior. This positive behavior has contributed to the positive health and growth perspective of small businesses heading into 2023, leading to stable cash flow performance. In addition, commercial lending markets remained open and commercial delinquencies returned to pre-pandemic levels. However, higher goods and services costs may pressure spending as affordability tightens and personal cash flows thin. The US economy grew strongly in Q4 2022, but the core of the economy was soft, indicating that a repeat performance in early 2023 is unlikely. The trend in job growth has decelerated, and the Fed needs to engineer a soft landing. The Fed is pushing back against market expectations of rate cuts and is likely to hike more than expected. Download Q4 2022 Report
